Refund Policy
Deposit/Tuition
For reservations before May 1 (or for 2025 before April 1), a $600 deposit per child is required with your reservation. The balance is due May 1 (or for 2025 on April 1). For reservations made on or after May 1 (or for 2025 on or after April 1), you must pay in full with your reservation. If you apply prior to May (or for 2025 before April 1), you may elect to make installment payments with the final payment due on May 1 (or for 2025 on April 1). Installment payments are due on the 1st of each month. If paying by check, please make it payable to Shaffer's High Sierra Camp, Inc. and send it to 248 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94945-1221. Your space is NOT reserved until your check has cleared or your credit card, debit card, or e-check payment is processed. Late payments incur a $10 late fee. Returned checks incur a $35 fee.
Late Pick-Up Fee
You must pick up your child by 11:00 a.m. on the Friday at the end of your session or Saturday if your child is enrolled in Session 5. Because our staff are given time off or are otherwise leading activities, we do not have extra staff to supervise children whose parents are late in picking them up. If you are late picking up your child, we will have to make special staffing arrangements and you will incur a fee of $60/hour/child.
Cancellation Fee
For cancellations before February 1, your deposit/full tuition is refundable less a $100 cancellation fee. For cancellations from February 1 through April 30, your deposit/full tuition is refundable less a $250 cancellation fee. And for cancellations after May 1 (or for 2025 after April 1), there is no refund with an exception for enrollment applications also made after May 1 (or for 2025 after April 1), in which event you may cancel within 7 days of making the reservation or the start of your session, whichever comes first, and receive a refund less a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellation fees are charged per application, so families who cancel, for example, two children, would incur a cancellation fee for each child's canceled application.
If you register through a group, school, or outlet AND utilize a Group Code, a $100 administrative fee will be charged for any cancellation. We highly suggest that you consider obtaining travel insurance that can cover you in the event of emergencies, such as illness or injury, that prevents your child from attending camp. You may obtain information and insurance from Trawick International or other providers. Check those providers for coverage benefits, costs, and window to purchase a policy. We understand you must purchase a policy at or within a limited time after enrolling.
Optional Activities
A camper's desire to participate in a raft trip and/or a horseback trail ride is confirmed with the camper approximately two days before the trip and relayed to the outfitters. Once confirmed, there are no refunds for non-attendance. All optional activities are subject to a minimum and maximum signup requirement and to weather and water conditions. If more campers sign up than the outfitters have room or for which we have transportation, children will be permitted to attend on a first-come, first-served basis (i.e., based on the date you enrolled your camper for the activity). If there is no space for your child on a horseback trail ride or a rafting trip, then you will receive a refund. Specialized Program Tracks are considered Optional Activities. Enrollment in a specialized program track will be on a first-come, first-served basis, as described above. Once a camper has secured a spot in one of the specialized program tracks and the program commences, there will be no refund if the camper withdraws. However, if the camper withdraws prior to the commencement of the specialized program track, then you will receive a full refund. If a trip is terminated early due to weather, fire, or other conditions beyond our control, there will be a pro-rata refund. Any unused optional activity credit, subject to the above, will be refunded. Refunds are made by September 15.
Camp Store Credit
The Camp stocks its store with toothpaste, sunglasses, batteries, water bottles, and other items that are frequently forgotten, lost, or broken. The store also carries high-quality clothing such as T-shirts and hoodies that are made to last. The store credit allows your camper to make purchases without worrying about carrying money. Any unused camp store credit is fully refundable regardless of if, when, or why a camper cancels or leaves camp. Refunds are made by September 15.
Transportation
If you make a paid reservation for bus transportation to/from Camp, that fee is fully refundable if the reservation is canceled prior to bus departure, but not after.
Expulsion for Inappropriate Behavior
Though rare, there are occasions when the Camp needs to expel a camper for inappropriate behavior. There are no refunds for campers expelled for inappropriate behavior. Inappropriate behavior includes possessing any weapon, violence or threats of violence, use of illegal or unauthorized drugs or alcohol, smoking, use of fire, vandalism, stealing, repeatedly displaying an uncooperative attitude or disrespect for others, and any other action that in the directors' opinion threatens the health, safety, or well-being of any person or animal, or the smooth operation of the Camp. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and the Camp is located on federal land, so Marijuana will be treated as an illegal drug. (If your child has a behavior issue, please be sure to disclose the details in the health form so that the Camp is informed and can help craft a supportive approach for your child, if possible. All health information is kept confidential and disclosed only on a need-to-know basis.)